Guatemala’s highest court has blocked Carlos Pineda from next month’s presidential race, making him the third presidential hopeful to be barred from running.
The Constitutional Court rejected Pineda’s appeal against the electoral authorities’ decision to disqualify him from the race, accusing him of violating the electoral law.
“Corruption wins, Guatemala loses!” The conservative Pineda tweeted on Friday.
International rights groups have sounded the alarm over the country’s electoral process. Observers have warned the election authorities that the judicial system is being used to restrict the candidates that can be accepted by the establishment.
Pineda topped all other candidates in the latest poll, garnering 22% support.
Human Rights Watch’s Juan Pappier described the recent disqualifications as a “clear manipulation of the judiciary” to guarantee a preferred election result, Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
What does this mean for the election?
The election to choose who will replace outgoing President Alejandro Giammettei will be held on June 25. Giamattei will not contest, because the law prohibits him from seeking another term.
Twenty-two candidates contested. They include former first lady Sandra Torres, ex-UN diplomat Edmond Mulet and Zury Rios, son of the former dictator.
If none of the candidates gets more than 50% of the vote, the second round will take place on August 20.
rmt/wd (AFP, AP, Reuters)
